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Copulatory Mechanics in the Funnel‐web Spiders Histopona torpida and Textrix denticulata (Agelenidae, Araneae)
Author(s) -
Huber Bernhard A.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
acta zoologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.414
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1463-6395
pISSN - 0001-7272
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-6395.1994.tb00974.x
Subject(s) - biology , anatomy , scape , fixation (population genetics) , botany , gene , biochemistry
The functional morphology of the copulatory organs of Histopona torpida (C. L. Koch, 1834) and Textrix denticulata (Olivier, 1789), investigated by semi‐thin serial sectioning after freeze‐fixation of the animals in copula , is described. In H. torpida , the long embolus runs through a precisely defined course in the membraneous genital pouch of the female vulva. The patellar apophysis locks the pedipalp in the female epigastric furrow. In T. denticulata this is accomplished by the retrolateral tibial apophysis that gets hold at the female scape. In both species the conductor has a locking as well as a guiding function for the embolus. A comparison with previously investigated agelenids shows a surprising diversity in the function of the retrolateral tibial apophysis.